The Air Force unit responsible for testing the Predator A and Predator B UAVs has seen its mission expand since it began operation in June 2005 at Gray Buttes-El Mirage test facility, about 20 miles southeast of Edwards AFB, Calif. The 452nd Flight Test Squadron established a detachment at Gray Buttes to handle development test and evaluation as the test pace picked up for the much-sought UAV. Det. 1 comprises seven permanently assigned 452nd personnel and systems and test personnel from Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center, and the 31st Test and Evaluation Squadron, a unit of Eglin AFB, Fla., and the contractor General Atomics.
A new F-35 training group graduated its first batch of two Polish pilots May 9, with more on the way from Poland, Finland, Germany, Switzerland, Singapore, and other partners. The 85th Fighter Group was reactivated at Ebbing Air National Guard Base, Ark. last July to help other F-35 buyers prepare…